The Bihar Museum, located in Patna, recently gained recognition by ranking higher in global rankings than the Metropolitan Museum in New York and the Louvre in Paris. This museum secured ninth place in the 'Top 100 Museums of the World 2026' list published by the German guide Worth a Journey. The Metropolitan Museum is ranked tenth, while the Louvre is ranked thirty-first.
The Bihar Museum is the only Indian institution on this list and holds the highest position among museums in Asia. For an institution opened only about ten years ago, this is a significant achievement, especially considering that the project initially faced serious opposition, including questions regarding its cost, relevance, and implementation methods.
In a recent LinkedIn post, Shraddha Sharma, founder and CEO of YourStory, recalled the contribution of two key figures in the museum's establishment: Nitish Kumar, who promoted the project as the Minister of Bihar, and IAS officer Chanchal Kumar, a 1992 graduate, who was tasked with its execution.
When the state government proposed spending nearly 500 crore rupees to create a world-renowned museum in Patna, the decision drew criticism. Questions arose as to why a state struggling with basic infrastructure should invest such funds in a museum, who would visit it, and whether the money wouldn't be better spent on other needs. According to Sharma, even people within the political elite expressed doubts.
However, Nitish Kumar strongly supported the project, convinced that Bihar needed an institution worthy of its historical and cultural heritage.
The initial difficulties stemmed from land issues. Sharma reported that the proposed 13-acre plot contained seven government bungalows, some occupied by high-ranking officials and the state minister. Clearing these premises required significant administrative effort and legal intervention. She also recounted an incident where men, allegedly connected to local politicians, came to the construction site demanding subcontracts, forcing the police to intervene.
The museum's design was developed by Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki, a Pritzker Prize laureate, in collaboration with the Mumbai-based architectural firm Opolis, and construction was entrusted to Larsen & Toubro. However, attracting internationally recognized architects and a major construction company was only part of the challenge; completing the project became another hurdle.
The museum also faced judicial scrutiny. In June 2015, the Patna High Court, reviewing a public lawsuit, criticized the expenditure of approximately 500 crore rupees and questioned the transparency of the contracting process. The court ruled that the project did not serve the public interest but declined to halt construction as the building was nearing completion. These findings remain an important part of the museum's history.
The museum's international recognition does not erase the questions raised regarding public spending and governance, although the institution has since gained acclaim far beyond Bihar.
Sharma attributes much of the successful realization to Chanchal Kumar, who held dual responsibilities as Secretary of Art and Culture and Secretary of the Building Department. This structure ensured that both the museum's cultural vision and its construction were overseen by the same official.
Sharma noted that upon recently reading Kumar's account of how the museum came to be, she was struck by how little he spoke of his personal contribution. Behind the finished building are years of overcoming permitting procedures, land disputes, administrative resistance, and numerous complexities associated with large public projects. In her words, the political support of Nitish Kumar and the persistence of Chanchal Kumar played a decisive role in bringing the project to fruition.
For Sharma, who grew up in Bihar, this recognition holds a more personal significance. Few places in India can boast the level of historical and intellectual heritage that Bihar possesses. Bodh Gaya is the place of Buddha's enlightenment, Vaishali is closely linked to Mahavira, ancient Pataliputra was the capital of the Mauryan Empire under Ashoka, and Patna is the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh. Nalanda and Vikramshila were great centers of learning in ancient India. Nevertheless, the modern image of Bihar is often disconnected from this exceptional history. Its achievements are noted in textbooks, but the state struggled to create modern institutions that would evoke similar admiration.
Sharma used an episode from the Ramayana to explain what the museum means to her. Before Hanuman leaps across the ocean to Lanka, Jambavan reminds him of his forgotten strength. Bihar, she hypothesized, needed such a reminder of its potential. The museum provides this reminder. Its galleries house sculptures, coins, manuscripts, and artifacts that bring the region's history to life, including the famous Didarganj Yakshi. And now, a German travel publication has included it in the top ten museums in the world, surpassing institutions with much longer histories and international reputations. Although the ranking is an assessment by one publication, it remains an important moment for a museum that faced so many questions during its creation.
